Live stock in 22 Bhima basin reservoirs dips below 25%

PUNE: Live water storage in 22 of the total 26 major dams in the Bhima basin dropped below 25% on Saturday, with meagre rainfall in the catchments this June so far in view of the delayed monsoon.
Such is the situation that the storage in three dams has reached 0%. In Ujani dam, which is the largest in the Bhima basin in terms of storage, the stock has reduced to -28% due to which water is being utilized from its dead storage. The other two reservoirs without any live storage are Pimpalgaon Joge and Ghod.
The three dams in the Bhima basin with more than 25% live water are Khadakwasla, Bhama Askhed and Andra.
State irrigation department officials said they were keeping a close watch on the storage of all the reservoirs.
According to the state irrigation department, none of the dams in the Bhima basin has recorded more than 50mm rainfall since June 1. Mulshi has received 45mm rainfall, which is highest among all the dams. Catchments of four dams have not recorded any rainfall in the last two weeks, the official said.
Another official from the irrigation department, however, said that it would be "too early" to reach any conclusion. "Dams generally receive decent spells during June. The rainfall increases in the month of July and August. This year, the arrival of monsoon has been delayed hence none of the dams has received heavy spells. Last year, the catchments had recorded heavy spells in the first week of July, which had continued for the next two weeks," the official said.
Some rainfall was recorded in the dam catchments around Pune in 24 hours ended Saturday morning. Irrigation department officials, however, said the spells did not help lift the water levels up in the reservoirs.
Mulshi received 20mm rainfall, while Varasgaon and Panshet recorded 10mm rain each.